What Is The NFL Combine Bench Press Record? Here’s Who Lifted The Most

The NFL Scouting Combine is a crucial event where college football players showcase their physical abilities in various drills, hoping to impress scouts and boost their draft stock. One of the most grueling tests is the bench press, where athletes lift a 225-pound (102 kg) barbell as often as possible. This test primarily evaluates endurance rather than raw strength, and defensive and offensive linemen typically dominate it.

Over the years, some athletes have delivered astonishing performances, with only a few surpassing the 40-rep mark.

Who Holds The All-Time Bench Press Record At The NFL Combine

The official NFL combine bench press record belongs to Stephen Paea, who completed 49 reps of 225 pounds in 2011. At the time, Paea was an outstanding defensive lineman from Oregon State and was later selected in the second round of the NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. His record-breaking performance remains unbeaten more than a decade later.

The unofficial record, however, belongs to Justin Ernest, who managed 51 reps in 1999. His achievement is not recognized as the official record because he never played in the NFL. Aside from Paea, only three other players have reached 45 reps in combine history. Mitch Petrus (2010), Mike Kudla (2006), and Leif Larsen (2000). In the past 13 years, only two players have come close to breaking the 45-rep threshold. Dontari Poe (2012) and Netane Muti (2020) both managed 44 reps, tying them for the fifth-highest total in combine history.

Also Read: NFL Combine History: All You Need To Know About Its Location, Events, And More

Players with the Most Bench Press Reps in Combine History

Since 2000, only 16 players have reached or surpassed 40 reps in the bench press at the NFL Combine. Below is a list of the top performances:

1. Stephen Paea (2011) – 49 reps

2. Mitch Petrus (2010) – 45 reps

3. Mike Kudla (2006) – 45 reps

4. Leif Larsen (2000) – 45 reps

5. Netane Muti (2020) – 44 reps

6. Dontari Poe (2012) – 44 reps

7. Jeff Owens (2010) – 44 reps

8. Brodrick Bunkley (2006) – 44 reps

9. Harrison Phillips (2018) – 42 reps

10. Russell Bodine (2014) – 42 reps

11. Tank Tyler (2007) – 42 reps

12. Vita Vea (2018) – 41 reps

13. David Molk (2012) – 41 reps

14. Terna Nande (2006) – 41 reps

15. Justin Blalock (2007) – 40 reps

16. Manny Ramirez (2007) – 40 reps

Many of these players were dominant in this particular drill, but their NFL careers varied greatly. Notably, Mitch Petrus is the only player on this list who went on to win a Super Bowl, doing so with the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI. Meanwhile, others like Kudla and Larsen never made a significant impact in the league.

Also Read: Ranking The Best And Worst NFL Combine Performances Of All-Time

The Impact Of The Bench Press At The NFL Combine

Although an eye-catching bench press performance can grab...